Hydraulic treating-table.



0. A. MILLER.

HYDRAULIC TREATING TABLE.

APPLLCATIQN HLED JULY 26. |911.

Ill

lA Il L Patented Apr. 2, 191&

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

O. A. MILLER.

HYDRAULICTREATlNG-TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED IuLvzs. 1917.

1 ,26 1,424.. Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 0. A. MILLER.

HYDRAULIC TREATING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26.19I-

Patented 2, 191&

3 SHEE HEET 3- y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTIS A. Ill/.[ILLER,` 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

HYDRAULIC TBEATING-TABLE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2., 1918.

Application filed July 26, 1917. Serial No. 182,901.

lthe following description, taken in connection with .the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a table constructed in accordance' with my invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section; Fig. 3 is a plan section; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, transverse section on the line 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end view, as indicated by the line 5 in Fig, 3; Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal section through the controlling valves, taken on the line 6 of Figs. l and 7; Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse section through the valves, taken on the line 7 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a similar section taken on the line 8 of Fig. 6.

The present table, like the table of my prior patent referred to, consists in general of two independent table sections, designated 10 and 11, respectively, and supported, respectively, upon a fixed base 12 and a traveling base 13, the latter being provided with casters or wheels, as illustrated.

Each of the two bases carries a hollow column, which forms a hydraulic cylinder, the two cylinders being designated by the numerals 14, 15. Telescoping within each cylinder is a plunger 16, the upper end of which has pivoted thereto the table section, as indicated at 17. Each table section is further supported by an inclined telescopic strut, made up of a hydraulic cylinder 18 supported by the base and a piston or plunger 19 pivoted to the lower face of the table section. The securing means for the cylinder 18 comprises a fork 20, which is preferably formed integrally with the cylinderhead and which straddles the column, having its extremities pivoted to a collar 21 rotatable in a groove in the face of the collar. One of the pivoted members for the fork 20 may be in the form o`f a setscrew, as shown at 22, passing completely through the collar 21 and adapted to bear upon the c olumn itself to lock the collar againstX rotat1on. i

The stationary and traveling bases 12, 13 are connected by a telescoping member comprising a cylinder 23'secured to the stationary base 12 and a piston rod secured to the traveling base 13 and carrying a piston 25 of the double-acting type, operating in the cylinder 23.

v For the actuation of the various hydraulic devices described there is provided a motordriven pump, diagrammatically illustrated at 26, which supplies fluid under pressure through suitable valves to the various cylinders of the apparatus. This valve construction is illustrated in detail in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, in which there are shown two conical plug-valves, designated 27, 28, each operating upon an appropriate valve-seat in a common valve body 29. A fiuid-inlet pipe 30, leading from the discharge side of the pressure pump 26, is tapped into the rear face of the valve body 29, as shown in Fig. 6, to communicate with a passage 31, which in turn leads to a cross-passage 32, forming a communication between the chambers of the valves 27, 28. The seat of the valve 27 has opening thereinto four passages 33 on the side opposite thel passage 32, and each of the passages 33 has connected thereto a conduit which leads to one of the cylinders 14, 15 or 18, the communication being in each instance with the base of the cylinder, as illustrated in the drawings. In order that the rotatable plug-valve 27 may selectively control the four cylinders named, it is provided with radiating passages 34, of the arrangement shown in Fig. 7, the angular relations 0f the passages being such that communication may be established between any one of the passages 33 and the inlet passage 32. For the sake of convenience in operation, a neutral, or cut-ofi' position lies between each operative position of the valve 27. l i

In addition to the inlet conduit 31, and cross-conduit 32, previously described, the valve body 29 is further provided with a second cross-conduit 35 in a plane back of the conduit 32 and forming a communication between the conduit 31 and the seat of the valve 28.- There is further provided an outlet passage 36, having an outlet pipe 37 two secured therein and which opens into the seat of the valve 28, in the plane of the cross-passage 32, as shown in Fig. 7. A boss 38, cast upon the top of the valve body,

has cored therein a curved outlet passage 39,

which communicates at one end with the passa 'e 36 and opens into the seat of the valve 28 in a plane back of the passage 32 and in the same plane as the passage 35, as shown in Fig. 8.

For coperating with the ports and passages described, the valve 28 has two Y- shaped conduits formed therein in separate planes corresponding to the planes 7 and 8 of Fig. 6. In the plane 7 the Y-shaped passage is made up of a diametrical portion 40 and a radial portion 41, in the angular relationship shown in Fig. 7, while in the plane 8 there is a diametrical passage 42 and a radial passage 43 in the angular relationship shown in Fig. 8. In addition, the surface of the valve is cut away inthe plane 7 to forma groove 44. 1n the horizontal plane of the cross-passages 32 and 35, and in the vertical planes 7 and 8, respectively, the outer end of the valve-body29 has passages 45, 46, which open into the seat of the valve 28 and communicate through pipes 451, 461 with the two ends of the cylinder 23.

lFrom the foregoing description of the control valves it will be noted that the valve 27 controls the operation of the hydraulic columns and struts, by which the two tablesections are moved with relation to their bases, while the valve 28 primarily controls the cylinder 23, by which the traveling base section is adjusted with reference to the stationary base section. Thus, by moving the valve 27 to an appropriate position, any one of the passages 33 may be placed in communication with the cross-passage 32 and through it with the pump 26, and the fluid under pressure discharged bythe latter will, therefore, operate to move the piston of the corresponding cylinder. When any piston has been forced outwardly to the desired extent in this manner the valve 27 may be moved to a neutral position, such as is illustrated in Fig. 7, in which neutral position each of the four cylinders of the table-sections will be vcut off from the The control over the cylinders 14, l5 and 18, which is exercised by the valve 27, is p artial only, however, for in order to release fluid from any of these cylinders to v"fpermit the pistons thereof to moveinwardly,

it is necessary that communication be established between such cylinder and the discharge pipe 37, which opens only into the seat of the valve 28. Such venting of any predetermined cylinder must therefore be accomplished through the valve 28, and this is permitted by the groove 44 in the face of the latter. By turning the valve 28 Leonesa .the groove 44 thereof may be made to establish communication between the cross-conduit 32 and the outlet passage 36, all other ports and passages of the valve 28 being at that time blanked. The valve 28 having been set in this position, the valve 27 may now be moved to open communication between the cross-passage 32 and the predetermined passage 33, under which conditions the Huid in the respective cylinder is permitted to flow outwardly into the discharge pipe 37. It may here be noted that in the preferred form the outlet or discharge pipe 37 leads to a reservoir 371 (Fig. 3) in communication with the inlet side of the pump 26, so that the operating fluid is held within a closed. system. The pump 26 and its driving means is ofv such form as to y be practically irreversible and any appropriate control means for actuating the'motor of the pump is located in convenient position, so that the pump may be started and stopped at will. By this arrangement of the parts, therefore, the pump may be left in constant communication with the inlet passage 31 and, through it, with the 'crosspassage 32, and the various cylinders may be vented through this usame cross-passage 32.

The primary function of the valve 28 is to directly control the operation of the cylinder 23, by which the traveling base section 13 is adjusted. This result is accom- 4which is secured to the stationary base.

The radial passage 41 in the valve 28 is at this time blanked. With this same setting of the valve the radial passage 43 thereof communicates with the pipe 461 leading to the opposite end of the cylinder 23, and through the diametrical passage 42 this end of the cylinder is in communication with the cored passage 39 and with the discharge pipe or vent 37. The pump beinglput in motion, fluid under pressure is t erefore supplied to one end of the cylinder 23 to move the piston thereof outwardly and at the same time the displaced fluid behind the piston is expelled through the vent 37 By turning the valve 28 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 7, the diametrical passage 40 may be brought into registry with the port 36, while the radial passage 41 registers with the port of the pipe y451. At the same time the diametrical passage 42 (Fig. 8) moves out of registry with the .opening of the passage 39 and alines itself between the inlet passage 32 and the pipe 461. The connections of the cylinder 23 are thereby reversed, the outer or movable end being connected with the sup ly and the fixed or inner end with the disciharge pipes.

By the valve arrangement described it will therefore be seen that it is possible to selectively control the movements of the various parts of the table. The cylinders 18, which form the struts, and the cylinders which constitute the columns 14 and 15 of the stationary and movable bases, are each single-acting devices, the respective pistons being forced upward by iuid pressure and forced downward when the iuid is permitted to discharge by the weight 'of the table section supported thereby. The traveling base-section 13 is, however, positively actuated in both directions through the double-acting cylinder 23.

My treating-table is especially designed with a view to rendering possible the widest possible variety of adjustment and movements which may be useful in therapeutical treatments. The valve arrangement.' described is of particular value in this connection by reason of the possibilities which it oers. For example, in certain traction treatments it' is desirable to apply a constant moderate tension either alone or supplementing an initial strong tension. This e'ect may be secured with my table by a proper setting of the valves 27, 28, as the result of which the weight of the patient, acting upon the pistons 16 or 19, tends to force fluid into the base of the cylinder 23 and thereby move the traveling base section outward. If, for example, the valve 28 be left in the position in Fig. 7, the pump being at that time stopped, and the valve 27 be turned to establish communication between the passage 32 and that passage 33 which communicates with the cylinder 18 of the table section 10, the weight of the patient upon the table section will drive the piston 19 downwardly in its cylinder, expelling the fluid into the fixed end of the cylinder 23 and forcing the traveling table section outward. This action will continue until a balance is reached between the tractive force exerted upon the patient and his weight, and the patient will thereby be held under a tension corresponding to his weight. This tension may be increased at will by the operator, who may apply his own weight to the end of the table. section 10, thereby greatly increasing the pressure upon the piston 19 and, consequently, increasing the tractive force exerted upon the patient. The

valve 28 may be turned to a neutral position at any time and the valve 27, being properly set andthe motor started, the table section may be restored to its original position, the motor stopped, the valve 28 re-set, and the operation repeated. `In this manner any desired degree of traction may be obtained without substantial alteration of the -may be employed in the same manner.

It is of particular importance in apparatus of the type described that all leakage of the operating fluid be avoided or controlled in such a way as to prevent theescaping fiuid from reaching the exposed portions of the apparatus. In order to reduce leakage at the valves to a minimum, the conical plug-valves of the form illustrated have been adopted, these valves operating in'recesses formed in the solid valve body 29. By this construction all danger of leakage at the back of the valve body is obviated, and the valve stems alone must be packed. Such packing is provided in the form of a stuffing-box 50 secured in a cap 51 which closes the outer end of the valveseat recess. The same cap serves as a convenient means for a holdwell compressionspring 52, Which constantly urges the valve toward its seat and takes up any wear of the valve or seat. In order that the stuffingboxes or glands 50 may not be subjected to fluid pressure through leakage of oil filling the clearance spaces above the valves 1 provide means by Which the valve chambers may be constantly drained. Thus, each valve has a small drain-passage 53 forming communication between its upper and lower surfaces, and the pockets at the bottoms of the valve recesses arejoined by a passage 54. A small drain-passage 55 forms a communication between the pocket at the base 'of the valve 28 andthe discharge-pipe 37. By reason of this construction each valve is completely housed within the valve body, only the stem of the valve extending from the body. These extending stems may be adequately packed by the stufling-boxes shown and by reason of the fact that the free spaces around the valves are constantly drained of oil no pressure which would be sufficient to cause leakage past the stuiing-boxes may be created.

Through the valve devices described the table sections 10, 11 are capable of being independently adjusted as to height and inclination. Each section may furthel` be adjusted angularly with respect to its base, 12o the piston 16 and collar 21 both being freely revoluble in and upon the column. The table section may be locked in any angular position by the setscrew 22, as described. Furthermore, the traveling base-section may 126 be spaced from the xed base-section. It is therefore possible to edect an exceedingly large number of adjustments of the table in order to fit it for every species of treatment, all of these adjustments (save the pivoting 130 i i of the tables) being effected hydraulically 1 made.

lVhile I have shown and described in considerable detail one specific embodiment of my invention, together with some of the advantages inherent in the same, it is to be understood that this description is illustrative only and that my invention is not to be regarded as limited thereby. It is my yintention to claim in the appended claims all of the features of novelty in my invention as broadly as is permissible in view or' the prior art.

lVhat I claim is:

l. In a table of the class described, a plurality of fluid-pressure cylinders for effecting movement of the parts, and .valve means arranged to open communication between said cylinders, whereby one cylinder may be used as a pump for forcing fluid into another cylinder.

2. In a table of the class described, a plu-` rality of fluid-pressure cylinders for effecting movement of the parts, means for supplying fluid under pressure, valve-means for connecting said fluid-supply means with said cylinders for the actuation of the latter, and valve-means arranged to open communication between said cylinders, whereby one cylinder may be used as a pump for forcing fluid into another cylinder.

3. A table of the class described, comprising relatively movable bases and tablesections supported thereby, fluid-pressure means for effecting relative movement of said bases and fluid-pressure means for effecting adjustment of one of said table-sections with reference to its base, and a valve for establishing communication between the two fluid-pressure means, whereby one of them may be used as a pump for the actuating of the other.

4. A table of the type described, comprising a fixed base, a movable base, a cylinder secured t0 one of said bases and a coperating piston secured to the other base, table sections carried by each base, a fluid-pressure cylinder for effecting movement of one of the table-sections with reference to its base, means for supplying fluid under pressure selectively to either of said fluid-pressure cylinders, and means for venting one of said cylinders into the other cylinder, whereby the former serves as a pump for actuating the latter.

5. In a table of the class described, a fixed base, a movable base, telescoping fluidpressure actuated means for effecting relative movement of the bases, table-sections carried by said bases, telescoping fluid-pressure actuated means for adjusting said tablesections, means for supplying fluid under pressure, a valve device for selectively conl necting said supply with any predetermined table-adjusting means, a second valve for connecting said supply with said base-adjusting means, and means in said last-named valve for venting from said supply means, whereby the ventin of the table-adjusting means is controlle by actuation of the valve of the base-adjusting means and through the common fluid-supply passage. O'lllS A. MILLER. 

